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Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Saint Ignatius of Loyola

Saint Ignatius of Loyola

Feast Day
Jul 31, 2013
Patronage
Soldiers, Educators, Education, Spiritual Retreats
<p>St. Ignatius was born in 1491, and was a Spanish Knight from a noble family.&nbsp; Ignatius was seriously wounded in battle in 1521 and underwent a spiritual conversion while in recovery.&nbsp; This spiritual conversion inspired him to abandon his military life for one of service to God, hanging his military uniform in front of a Blessed Mother Statue.&nbsp; He experienced a vision of the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus while at the Shrine of &ldquo;Our Lady of Montserrat&rdquo;.&nbsp; After this vision, he went to Maresa, where he began praying for seven hours a day, often in a nearby cave while formulating the fundamentals of the faith.&nbsp; In 1523 Loyola reached the Holy Land with plans to settle there, but was sent back to Europe by the Franciscans. &nbsp;</p> <p>Ignatius studied theology and Latin in Spain and Paris, arriving in France during a period of anti-Protestant turmoil.&nbsp; He and few followers bound themselves by vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience &ndash; there were 6 in the beginning, with one of them being St. Francis Xavier.&nbsp; They formed the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) approved by Pope Paul II, in 1540, as well as his Spiritual Exercises being approved in 1548.&nbsp; He composed the Constitutions of the Society as well.&nbsp; Loyola&rsquo;s devotion to the Catholic Church was characterized by unquestioning obedience to the Catholic Church&rsquo;s authority and Hierarchy.&nbsp; &nbsp; St. Ignatius founded the Roman College, and used that as a model for all other Colleges of the Society. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>St. Ignatius was a true mystic.&nbsp; Centering his life on the foundations of Christianity-the Trinity, Christ, and the Holy Eucharist.&nbsp; His spirituality is expressed in the Jesuit motto, &ldquo;For the Greater Glory of God&rdquo;.&nbsp; His Society was guided by true love of the Church, and unconditional obedience to the Holy Father, so much so &ndash; all professed took a fourth vow, to go wherever the Pope should send them for the salvation of souls.&nbsp; He died in 1556, beatified in 1609, and canonized in 1622. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Practical Take Away</strong></span></p> <p>St. Ignatius of Loyola is another example of a great saint that has walked away from comfort and wealth, to be of service to God.&nbsp; He was born into a noble family and had ability to be served, and enjoy life.&nbsp; But, after being injured and having time to reflect and pray, he had a conversion.&nbsp; He knew he had to walk away from what the world had to offer, to accept what God wanted of him.&nbsp; He went on to serve the Church and founded the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits.&nbsp; He was under total obedience to the Holy Father, at all times &ndash; here to serve the Church and the Pope, all for the salvation of souls.&nbsp; With a conversion like his, and the example he set for all of us, it is easy to see why he became a saint.&nbsp; We should call upon St. Ignatius to aid in our conversion as well. &nbsp;</p>